QUETTA: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Dr Mohammad Ashfaq Ahmedvisited the Pakistan-Iran border where he reviewed commercial activities and met local traders.

During the two-day visit, National Logistics Cell (NLC) General Manager, Quetta, Colonel Asad briefed the FBR chairman about different initiatives taken by the NLC for traffic management at Taftan and further apprised him about future projects.

The FBR chief was accompanied by the secretary of Revenue Division.

Later, the FBR chairman visited Bazarcha Zero Point and discussed its reopening with Frontier Corps and the district administration. He remarked that the issue of allocating land for Bazarcha would also be taken up with Balochistan’s chief secretary.

He then visited the Pak-Iran border and the newly established NLC border terminal at Taftan. He directed the NLC authorities to provide facilities for the customs staff, traders and passengers.

Mr Ahmed also visited the customs baggage and immigration hall where he was briefed by the additional collector enforcement and Federal Investigation Agency authorities. He also visited a newly constructed customs complex and appreciated the efforts of the collectorate of appraisement for establishing the infrastructure in the far-flung area.

He directed the authorities to renovate the building to make ample space for the residences of officials being posted at Taftan. He also called for completing the project by the end of February before his next visit to Taftan. He also inaugurated a mosque constructed by Pakistan Customs with the help of local traders.

Afterwards, the FBR chairman held a meeting with the local notables led by Ejaz Khan Sanjrani and including influencers and businessmen from Taftan, Mashkel and Nokundi. They expressed concern over the closure of Bazarcha Border Crossing Point at Mashkel. Mr Ahmed assured the delegates that Bazarcha will soon be reopened after the fulfilment of all necessary legal formalities. He also informed the notables from Mashkel that the reopening of Customs Station Katagar will be planned in consultation with all the stakeholders.

The FBR chief also held a meeting with the Iranian delegation comprising the director general customs for Sistan and Baluchestan province and representatives of the ministries of commerce, transportation, foreign affairs and border security who presented a charter of demands.

Mr Ahmed assured an Iranian delegation of his fullest support in strengthening mutual cooperation and promised to involve the federal government in ensuring the required intervention at policy level. He directed Balochistan’s chief collector customs to resolve the operational issues on top priority.

He was accompanied by FBR’s Member Customs Policy Dr Mohammad Saeed Khan Jadoon, Balochistan’s Chief Collector Customs Mohammad Sadiq, and Collector Customs Appraisement Quetta Rashid Habib.

Published in Dawn, December 21st, 2021